VZV Foundation - A Decade Of Leadership In The Fight Against VZV Infections

	Oral Presentation Abstracts: 11 [11] DECLINE IN VARICELLA INCIDENCE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN SENTINEL SURVEILLANCE AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1995-2000 Jane Seward (1), Barbara Watson (2), Carol Peterson (3), Laurene Mascola (3), Jan Pelosi (4), John Zhang (5), Aisha Jumaan (1), Teresa Maupin (3), Gary Goldman (3), Dana Perella (2), Crystal Waites (2), Laura Tabony (4) and Melinda Wharton (1) (1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2) Philadelphia Department of Public Health, (3) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, (4) Texas Department of Health and (5) Dyntel Corporation Background/Objectives:* Varicella has been a vaccine-preventable disease since 1995. We established active surveillance in 3 sites in January 1995 to monitor impact of varicella vaccine in these communities. Methods: Active surveillance for varicella has been ongoing in Antelope Valley, California, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Travis County, Texas since 1995. Sources of reporting for varicella cases are schools, child-care centers, pre-schools, private physicians, public health clinics, hospitals, large employers, and households. All cases are investigated to collect information on demographic and clinical variables. Vaccine use is monitored in private and public health care provider's offices, through the Vaccine for Children Program and using coverage estimates from the National Immunization Survey. Results: Among pre-school aged children, vaccine coverage increased from 40% in 1997 to approximately 70% in 1999. Reported varicella cases varied from year to year and showed marked springtime seasonality. In 1999, there was a marked reduction in varicella cases and hospitalizations with an attenuation of seasonality. This pattern of attenuated seasonality and low number of cases continued through the 2000 varicella season. Between 1995 and 1999, varicella incidence declined approximately 80% in all surveillance areas. The greatest decline in incidence occurred among children 1-4 years of age however incidence declined in all age groups. Conclusions: With increasing use of varicella vaccine there has been a marked decline in varicella disease in active surveillance communities. With evidence of reduced transmission of varicella zoster virus in these communities, it is increasingly important to implement current recommendations for use of varicella vaccine and to achieve high vaccine coverage among all children, adolescents and adults. Corresponding Author: Jane Seward, MBBS, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS E-61, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; email: jseward@cdc.gov.

[11]

DECLINE IN VARICELLA INCIDENCE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN SENTINEL SURVEILLANCE AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1995-2000

*Jane Seward (1), Barbara Watson (2), Carol Peterson (3), Laurene Mascola (3), Jan Pelosi (4), John Zhang (5), Aisha Jumaan (1), Teresa Maupin (3), Gary Goldman (3), Dana Perella (2), Crystal Waites (2), Laura Tabony (4) and Melinda Wharton (1) (1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2) Philadelphia Department of Public Health, (3) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, (4) Texas Department of Health and (5) Dyntel Corporation

Background/Objectives:
Varicella has been a vaccine-preventable disease since 1995. We established active surveillance in 3 sites in January 1995 to monitor impact of varicella vaccine in these communities.

Methods:
Active surveillance for varicella has been ongoing in Antelope Valley, California, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Travis County, Texas since 1995. Sources of reporting for varicella cases are schools, child-care centers, pre-schools, private physicians, public health clinics, hospitals, large employers, and households. All cases are investigated to collect information on demographic and clinical variables. Vaccine use is monitored in private and public health care provider's offices, through the Vaccine for Children Program and using coverage estimates from the National Immunization Survey.

Results:
Among pre-school aged children, vaccine coverage increased from 40% in 1997 to approximately 70% in 1999. Reported varicella cases varied from year to year and showed marked springtime seasonality. In 1999, there was a marked reduction in varicella cases and hospitalizations with an attenuation of seasonality. This pattern of
attenuated seasonality and low number of cases continued through the 2000 varicella season. Between 1995 and 1999, varicella incidence declined approximately 80% in all surveillance areas. The greatest decline in incidence occurred among children 1-4 years of age however incidence declined in all age groups.

Conclusions:
With increasing use of varicella vaccine there has been a marked decline in varicella disease in active surveillance communities. With evidence of reduced transmission of varicella zoster virus in these communities, it is increasingly important to implement current recommendations for use of varicella vaccine and to achieve high vaccine coverage among all children, adolescents and adults.

Corresponding Author: Jane Seward, MBBS, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS E-61, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; email: jseward@cdc.gov.